Travelling to and from our hospitals

This page contains information on how to get to our hospitals
and where to drop off and pick up patients.

How to find us

Travel by car

Hospital parking

NCP and Bristol City Council Parking

Cabot Circus Shopping Centre Parking and free shuttle bus

Hospital and University free shuttle bus

Travel by train

Travel by bus

Park & Ride schemes

Bristol Dial-a-Ride

Volunteer driver services

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme

Hospital Transport (the Patient Transport Service)

If you are going to hospital for non-emergency tests or
treatment, you will normally be expected to make your own way to
and from hospital, even if you live a long distance away.

How to find us
Most of our hospital sites are based within the centre of Bristol.
The site
map shows
the location of the hospitals and how to find us. There are more
detailed instructions on how to reach each hospital under the your hospitals section of this
website.

Our hospitals are located in very busy areas of the city, with
severely restricted roadside parking. Some parking is available and
is shown on our site map, together with the location of disabled
parking bays.

Travel by car
All patients and visitors are encouraged to use public transport
or nearby public car parks whenever possible as the on-site parking
is very limited. When planning your journey, be aware that it
may be necessary to park off-site or arrange for someone to drop
you off at the entrance and park elsewhere. If you do come by car,
please leave yourself extra time in case you need to search for a
space.

If you have difficulty walking far, there are drop off and pick
up points outside all of the main entrances to our hospitals except
for the King Edward Building, Old Building, Eye Hospital
and Dental Hospital. (Wheelchairs are available at
reception).

Patients can park on any level on the Cabot Circus car park, and
then follow signs for the shuttle bus. Car parking can be paid for
on return, at one of the 'pay on foot' machines on each floor of
the car park.

Patients should be aware that they may need to show their
appointment card or letter to the driver, to use the free shuttle
bus.

Hospital Free Shuttle Bus (HUBS) - runs Monday to
Friday, does not run on weekends
A free shuttle bus service is provided for patients, visitors and
staff. The service is funded by hospitals' charity Above & Beyond.
The circular route includes Bristol Temple Meads railway station
and around our hospital sites. This
timetable came into effect from Monday 8th January 2018.

Travel by train
Bristol Temple Meads station is approximately 30 minutes' walk
from the BRI and 40 minutes' from St. Michael's Hospital. The HUBS
free hospital shuttle bus runs frequently from the Temple Meads to
all hospital sites. The other main railway station is Bristol
Parkway, which is outside the city. Bus services run between
Bristol Parkway and the city centre and the journey time is
approximately 40 minutes.

Travel by bus
First Bus provides a number of bus routes and park and ride
facilities, which stop at or near all of our hospital sites.
Bristol Bus and Coach Station, in Marlborough Street, is a few
minutes' walk away from our city centre sites and provides regular
services for people travelling from further away. For further
information on public buses: First Customer Services: Tel. 0845 602
0156, www.firstgroup.com

Works on the MetroBus will be affecting routes to South Bristol
Community Hospital from 18th April 2017. This may affect your
journey to clinics and appointments. Please see here for
more information on the new bus routes.

Park & Ride schemes
There are three Park & Ride facilities in Bristol, located at
Long Ashton, Shirehampton (easily accessed from the A4 Portway) and
Brislington (easily accessed from the A4 Bath Road). Buses run
every 10-20 minutes Monday to Saturday and take between 15-20
minutes to reach the city centre. All services stop in the city
centre, within walking distance of the main sites and at stops
where there is HUBS transport available. Parking is free; you pay
for the bus service with return fares (costing £2 to £4 depending
when you travel). All England Concessionary Travelcards can be used
on the Park & Ride entitling the holder to free travel after
9:00am Monday to Friday and all day on Saturday Tel. 0117 922
2910.

Bristol Dial-a-Ride
Bristol Dial-a-Ride is a door-to-door bus service for any person
who cannot use public transport due to age, mobility or
communication impairment. The service operates on weekdays; Monday
- Thursday, 9:00am - 5:00pm and Friday, 9:00am - 4:30pm. The bus
fare charged is about the same as public transport. Bristol
concessionary passes/travel cards can be used. For further
information please contact the Dial-a-Ride office, Tel. 0845 130
1875, www.bristoldialaride.org.uk

Volunteer driver services
Many local areas have community or volunteer transport schemes.
Changes often apply. To find out about schemes in your area see
www.gettingaboutgreaterbristol.org or contact your local
council.

Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme (HTCS)
If you are on a low income and not eligible for hospital
transport, you may be eligible for financial assistance with your
travel expenses through the Healthcare Travel Costs Scheme. For
further information please contact your GP, hospital cashiers'
department or the Department of Health website.

Hospital Transport (Patient Transport
Service)

The patient transport service (PTS) is provided for patients who
require the specialist support of an ambulance crew to travel.

Am I eligible for patient transport?

You are eligible for patient transport if:

your medical condition means you cannot use other transport
without damaging your health

your mobility means you are unable to access healthcare by any
other means

you need the skills or support of clinically trained staff and
/ or medical equipment during your journey.

Transport could also be provided to a patient's escort or carer
where their particular skills and/or support are needed. This may
be appropriate in the case of accompanying a person with a physical
or mental incapacity, a vulnerable adult, or in the case of
patients needing a translator. This would need to be agreed for
each individual case at the time of booking the transport.

How do I arrange a journey?

Hospital staff will arrange ambulance transport for discharge
journeys if you are eligible, but you will need to arrange
outpatient journeys yourself.

If you believe you qualify for the patient transport service
(PTS), and need to arrange a journey for an outpatient appointment,
you will need to contact your local Patient Transport Advice Centre
to arrange your transport. They will check whether you are
eligible and help you make travel arrangements.

You will need to have ready:

your appointment letter with your NHS number

the name of the GP practice to which you are registered.

If you need further guidance and support, or need help
establishing which is your CCG, please speak to a member of staff
in the relevant outpatient area, or your GP surgery.